MUTARE – Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has confirmed his intention to retire in 2028, putting an end to speculation about his plans to seek a third term.
However, this announcement made in a speech in Mutare on Thursday, contradicts the ongoing “ED2030” campaign by Zanu-PF structures, which aims to extend his presidency beyond the constitutional limit.
Speaking on Thursday, Mnangagwa reiterated that his current term is his last, emphasizing that the party’s constitution mandates a two-term limit for presidents.
He urged his supporters to select a new leader who will follow in his footsteps, signaling a clear intention to step down in 2028.
“Our (Zanu-PF) constitution says that after every five years, we go to Congress, and we elect our president,” Mnangagwa said.
“The elected president is supposed to serve two 5 year terms.
“I served my first five year term, and we went to Congress, and you re-elected me.
“Now I am serving my last five years, it ends soon and I will go and rest.
“When you go to Congress, select a leader who follows my footsteps. Do you hear me.”
Despite this statement, the “ED2030” campaign continues to gain momentum, with some party officials and supporters pushing for Mnangagwa to stay on beyond 2028.
Recently, Mnangagwa forced his Ministers to publicly declare their allegiance to his plan of amending the Constitution’s two-term presidential limits and allow himself to run for a third-term, an arrangement that his deputy Constantino Chiwenga was fiercely ready to resist.
Mnangagwa’s move was seen as a bid to consolidate power and pave the way for his re-election in 2028, despite the constitutional limit of two terms.
Mnangagwa assumed power through a military coup that ousted late former President Robert Mugabe in November 2017. He is currently being challenged by a Zanu-PF youth Sybeth Musengezi who argues that the party central committee meeting that forced Mugabe to resign was illegal.
The “2030 vaMnangagwa vanenge vachipo” (loosely translated as ‘2030 Mnangagwa will still be president’)” mantra that started in Masvingo, has been chanted by almost the whole cabinet except Chiwenga who is reportedly vying to replace Mnangagwa.
Its speculated elements within the army are putting pressure on Mnangagwa to step down.
